It was a filthy day at Ballymacarn Park on Saturday in the worst possible conditions for the 5's who play their best rugby in fair weather. Losing the toss meant that we played into a stiff breeze against an Inishowen team feared for strong forward play and Hinch knew they had their work cut out to contain the big Inishowen pack.

The 5's comings off a great win against Ballymoney were forced into three changes with Bell, Wilson and Browne unavailable. Edgar and McCavery came into the backs with Megarry coming back into the pack after a long absence.

As the match kicked off the rain began to fall to add to the already soggy pitch but then came the first scrum Hinch knew that they were going to be in for a tough day. However, on an Inishowen put in the Hinch pack took the scrum against the head, and the backs moved the turnover ball through the hands well but unfortunately were forced into touch. The ball against the head did put a marker down to let Inishowen know that they were in for a game.

The first half was an altogether scrappy affair with conditions dictating that Hinch were going to find it difficult to clear their lines and Inishowen were camped in the Hinch 22 this was far from true but with two well taken penalties Inishowen took a 6-0 lead. In the absence of a regular goal kicker due a late cry off kicking duties fell to captain Colin Rea and full back Neil Reid. Rea missed a penalty into the wind before half time. This meant that at half time Hinch could sniff an upset playing with the wind in the second half.

As conditions underfoot deteriorated the game became more disjointed and with a muddy ball even a simple pass became difficult. A penalty miss followed by a successful penalty shot by Reid left the score 6-3 with 12 minutes to play.

Hinch threw everything including the kitchen sink at Inishowen and stretched them to breaking point but they managed to hold on to beat the 5's for the second year in the Forster cup.

It was hard to take for Hinch who had played well above their level against the team almost top of section 4. The pack again were outstanding with strong work at scrum time and a solid line out, but as in recent weeks it has been the pack play in the loose that has been giving scrum half Knox "an armchair ride".

The lack of a regular goal kicker seemed to have cost Hinch the match however they were other opportunities. A hard fought game played in a great spirit is a credit to Inishowen who could not have expected to have it so tough up front. This is a rare mention to the referee who was outstanding throughout normally they go without mention but in this case he is worthy of praise.

Team: Reid, McDowell, Edgar, McCavery, Thurgate, Edgar, Knox, Hanna, Megarry, Clifford, McCord, Smith, Gibson, Gordon, Rea(c)